His Battle Has Ended

The love of my life, my DH Joe, lost his battle with dementia on October 31. He was diagnosed 15 years ago and progression was slow until the last year when he was in memory care. It broke my heart to move him there but it got to the point where I couldn't keep him or myself safe. Hardest decision of my life. In Aug/Sept, his confusion and agitation worsened and we tried medication adjustments. In Oct, he stopped walking, talking, eating, drinking and swallowing. Memory staff were shocked at the sudden decline since even as he was progressing, he always said Thank You after a shower (which he hated). He was a big man (known as Big Joe) but was known as a teddy bear who took the hand of other residents and said God bless you. Our children and grandchildren were there as he took his last breath and i will never be the same. He was 78 and I had hoped for 10 more years of fishing, horseshoe and bag tournaments, dog walks, and family celebrations he'd loved. I can't thank you all enough for sharing your thoughts and experiences over these years. I'd prayed God would shorten his dementia journey and am so very grateful that He did. That said, I will never stop missing my love and will look forward to our great reunion one day. I will continue to pray for you all. Rest In Peace my love.